Protecting Black Communities in a Post COVID-19 Economy

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Global Pandemic has challenged institutional norms, created enormous economic hardship, and resulted in the deaths of 580,166 Americans thus far; and

WHEREAS, the federal government has spent $5.3 trillion to mount a response to the pandemic and stabilize the national economy, including the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan (ARP) earlier this year; and

WHEREAS, the ARP funding includes Economic Impact Payments, Child Tax Credits, additional Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding assistance to state and local governments, Employee Retention Credits and Paid Leave Programs, expanded Unemployment compensation, support for essential workers, rental and utility assistance; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has halted residential evictions nationwide during the pandemic, in May, a federal court found it to be unconstitutional; and

WHEREAS, grace periods for delayed insurance premiums of all types are ending and enhanced unemployment benefits are being refused by governors across the country; and

WHEREAS, at least 20 states have announced the premature end of this pandemic relief and the existence of vigorous oversight will ensure that Black communities do not experience a continuation of the disparities we know exist in too many facets of life, including economic outcomes and access to federal safety net programs.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls on all federal agencies and state agencies responsible for the allocation and distribution of the above listed funds and programs ensure that maximum attention and efforts are given to guarantee that Black Americans are not negatively impacted by the changing benefits and support landscape as the country moves beyond the current phase of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.